CCH Pounder was raised on a sugar cane plantation in the South American country of Guyana.

The performing artist studied theater at Ithaca College — the same institution that presented her with an honorary degree in 2011.

Some of Pounder's most notable screen roles include Dr. Angela Hicks in the NBC television hospital drama, "ER," Detective Claudette Wyms in the FX television cop drama "The Shield" and Winnie Mandela in the film "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story."